History & Heritage

A Place to Raise Families

On September 12, 1874, a group of settlers met at John McIver's farm and decided that they should incorporate and become a municipality. At that time there were less than 50 families, but these early pioneers saw the potential of their new home as a place to raise their families and create prosperity and opportunity for future generations.

With a vote of the assembled citizens, one of British Columbia's first municipalities was born. The choice of the name came from the trees and topography of John McIver's farm. There was a magnificent stand of maple trees along the ridge that ran along the edge of the McIver farm and followed the line of the Fraser River. This new municipality officially became 'Maple Ridge.'

A History in Pictures

Cenotaph

Cenotaph Ceremony

Clappison Store

Clappisons Inside

Egan Realty

Fire Truck

First Traffic Light

Foodland

Fuller Watson

Fuller Watson Interior

Haney Boulevard

Haney Cafe

Haney Post Office

Haney School

Haney Store

Henrys Grill

Mathesons

McMartin Cafe

MR School

Municipal Hall and Fire Hall

Musallems

Osborne Shoes

Police Station

Soap Box Derby

St George Church

St Patrick Church

Street Dance

Town Centre

Volunteer Fire Hall

Wiarts

First Communities
Over time, the character of Maple Ridge would begin to form and bring with it all of the opportunities that those who first settled the area hoped would come. Neighbourhoods like Hammond, Whonnock, Webster's Corners, Ruskin, Albion and Yennadon sprung up and provided the homes where families could flourish. Each had their own post office, community centre, churches, stores and schools.

Economy Boost: Fraser River
Maple Ridge grew alongside the province's earliest transit route - the Fraser River. When the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed in 1895, the community gained further benefits as the railway ran along Maple Ridge's southern border adjacent to the Fraser River and brought with it the enormous economic benefits associated with 'The National Dream' of a coast-to-coast rail system. The railway helped local agriculture, forestry and manufacturing industries grow and prosper as the markets for local products expanded both east and west.

Since those early days Maple Ridge's economy has grown to encompass manufacturing, technology, education services and has become a favourite destination for the television and film production industry. Today Maple Ridge has a population of approximately 76,000, and this area has been identified as one of the high growth areas of the Metro Vancouver Region.

First Communities

Over time, the character of Maple Ridge would begin to form and bring with it all of the opportunities that those who first settled the area hoped would come. Neighbourhoods like Hammond, Whonnock, Webster's Corners, Ruskin, Albion and Yennadon sprung up and provided the homes where families could flourish. Each had their own post office, community centre, churches, stores and schools.

Economy Boost: Fraser River

Maple Ridge grew alongside the province's earliest transit route - the Fraser River. When the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed in 1895, the community gained further benefits as the railway ran along Maple Ridge's southern border adjacent to the Fraser River and brought with it the enormous economic benefits associated with 'The National Dream' of a coast-to-coast rail system. The railway helped local agriculture, forestry and manufacturing industries grow and prosper as the markets for local products expanded both east and west.

Since those early days Maple Ridge's economy has grown to encompass manufacturing, technology, education services and has become a favourite destination for the television and film production industry. Today Maple Ridge has a population of approximately 76,000, and this area has been identified as one of the high growth areas of the Metro Vancouver Region.

The McIver Family

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Diverse Community Setting
The community boasts one of the most diverse natural settings, with the Fraser River to the south, the Golden Ears Mountain to the north and a series of rivers and parks that allows citizens to escape to nature within minutes of their home. Add to this the top quality arts and recreational facilities, and you can see that the vision of the families that met at the McIver farm have been realized.
As amazing as the natural setting is, the spirit of those original pioneers is alive today in the current citizens. Maple Ridge is a community where any evening or weekend you'll find a community festival underway, arenas and sports fields full of kids playing their favourite sports and service clubs and community organizations working to make the community, and the world, a better place to live. All of these events are powered by volunteerism. From the day-to-day operation of the many sports associations to the organization of Maple Ridge's hosting of the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Tour, the Caribbean Festival, Country Fest and the annual Santa Parade, this is a place where people get involved.
A New Chapter
The District of Maple Ridge officially became the ‘City of Maple Ridge’, effective September 12, 2014, the 140th anniversary of the incorporation of the community.